FOR many of the attendees at Newbury Racecourse this Saturday, getting a spot next to the rails and watching the horses sprint by will be the closest they will ever get to the feeling of competing in one of the season’s most prestigious Flat races.

However, thanks to the latest in a series of headcam course ride videos by QIPCO British Champions Series, viewers will have the opportunity to switch to the other side of the track and ride the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes through the eyes of a local hero.

The video features local jockey George Baker, who is based in the nearby small village of Hungerford and who finished third in the race in 2011.

Baker is well-placed to talk about how best to navigate the course, having operated at a strike rate of 20% at Newbury during the last season, including when winning on board the high class Stormy Antarctic back in September.

The highlight of Newbury’s Flat racing calendar, the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes is worth a total of £350,000 and is the second race in the Mile category of the QIPCO British Champions Series.

In 2012, the race was won by the greatest horse of all-time, Frankel, and has seen top-class horses pass the winning post in first position since its inception including recent winners Night of Thunder, Olympic Glory, Canford Cliffs and Farhh.

13 horses are declared for Saturday’s contest including Kodi Bear, Limato, Dutch Connection, Arod and the current favourite Toormore.

With four wins to his name, Frankie Dettori is the most successful active jockey in the race and he partners Johnny Barnes.

Tickets can be purchased from www.newburyracecourse.co.uk but, despite watching this video, you will have to leave the riding to the professionals.